For the average Dartmouth student, Homecoming means the bonfire, parties and attending the weekend's big football game. For members of Dartmouth's athletic teams, however, the weekend marks an opportunity to secure a victory in front of a supportive home crowd composed of students and alumni who have returned to Hanover for the big weekend.
Homecoming games, which come at a pivotal time of the year, can make or break teams' seasons. For the seniors, it is a chance to show how far they have come since freshman year. For the rest of the players, it is a time to take part in a century-old tradition.
Men's soccer head coach Jeff Cook said he enjoys taking part in the College's Homecoming tradition, labeling it "a hallmark of Dartmouth."
"When you get that crowd support behind you, it gets you very motivated," he said. "It lifts the energy of the team."
As the 16th ranked soccer team in the country, according to the latest NCAA poll, men's soccer has no problem attracting fans to its games, but Homecoming is special nonetheless, players told The Dartmouth.
Co-captain Dan Keat '10 said that Homecoming is a unique opportunity.
"It is pretty cool to see everyone get excited," Keat said. "It is special to play in front of friends and family."
Field hockey head coach Amy Fowler said that she appreciates the importance of Homecoming, as her team does not have a separate major alumni event during the season.
"Homecoming is a large weekend for fans and alumni to come by," she said.
Along with carrying sentimental value, the game can also determine whether or not a team has a successful season.
The men's soccer team (8-3-1, 3-0 Ivy) is fighting for an Ivy League championship, going into a tough Homecoming game against Columbia.
Co-captain Craig Henderson '09 said the focus this weekend will not only be on Homecoming, but also on the team's larger goals.
"It is good to see the alums come back," he said. "But it is important because it is an Ivy League home game."
The field hockey team (6-7, 2-2 Ivy), which currently stands in third place in the Ivy League after a 5-2 loss to Yale Saturday, will also play Columbia. Fowler said she believes her team has the ability to come out with a win on Saturday.
"We stole one from them last year," she said. "We are in a position to win the game."
The field hockey team has shown signs of improvement this season after coming off a 6-11 finish last year. Fowler said she believes that the team is on its way to finishing above .500.
Dartmouth's women's soccer team is in a must-win situation heading into Homecoming weekend. Currently, the team stands at 7-6, 2-2 Ivy and is still fighting for a bid into the NCAA tournament.
All six games the team lost could have been won, co-captain Myra Sack '10 said.
Sack has a particular bone to pick with the team's weekend rival, Columbia, since the Big Green lost to Columbia 6-0 her freshman year and did not receive a bid to the tournament as a result. Now, in her last year on the team, Sack knows what is at stake.
"I am extremely excited because the entire community will be behind us," she said. "It is different from every other year knowing this is the last Homecoming I will play in."
Cook also recognized the importance of Homecoming for the seniors on his team.
"Homecoming is a marking point for the seniors," he said. "It is the last go around."
The men's soccer team will take on Columbia at 4 p.m. Saturday at Burham Field.
Women's soccer will take on Columbia following the conclusion of the men's game. The matchup is currently scheduled for 6:30 p.m. at Burnham Field.
Field hockey will take on the Lions at 12 p.m. at Scully-Fahey Astroturf Field.
